Conference Program

The general theme of the APCEI conferences was ‘educational integrity’, which included topics such as plagiarism, values in teaching and learning, and a consideration of the impact of integrity on broader educational contexts. The 4APCEI conference decided to focus on the sub-topic ‘creating an inclusive response’, and to that end structured the two-day conference around a stimulating discussion-centred format. Authors, rather than reading out pre-prepared presentations, were asked to provide ‘one-page’ summaries of their papers, with some suggested key discussion questions. The full papers were posted online before the conference, and a designated reader, known as a ‘discussant’, was given the task to start off each session by providing a commentary on the paper they had read, and suggesting some additional questions. The author of the paper was then given the opportunity to respond to their discussant’s commentary, and the floor was opened up for audience discussion in response to the key questions. This approach allowed greater audience participation and gave the authors more opportunities for feedback about their paper.

Pre-conference workshops 28th

Two parallel workshops started off the conference, focusing on the issues that arise as universities seek to accommodate the needs of two groups of students: students with disabilities, and international students. Participants were invited to pool best practices from their universities, identify the values that underpin those practices, and develop a shared vision of an inclusive approach to educational integrity.

Keynote presentations 29th & 30th

• Anna Broinowski, the award winning director of the film Forbidden Lies, gave a keynote address examining the ethical, cultural and artistic challenges involved in the making of Forbidden Lie$, a dramatized documentary about Chicago con-artist turned hoax author, Norma Khouri.
• Dr John Lesko, editor of the international journal Plagiary: Cross-disciplinary studies in plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification, gave a keynote presentation ‘Derivative Writing: Templates for Success, Recipes for Disaster’, examining selected cases of plagiarism or academic scandal drawn from his website.

Debate 30th

The conference wrapped up with an entertaining debate on the topic ‘Should we be taught academic integrity?’ Moderated by Allen Clark, a local Illawarra radio broadcaster and television journalist, the debate teams were drawn from the university community and a local high school. Team A (for the affirmative) comprises a Senior Lecturer from the University of South Australia, Tracy Bretag; a postgraduate UOW student, Paul Stuckey and UOW undergraduate student, Jennifer Woolsey. Team B (for the negative) comprises the Smiths Hill High School debating team of Natalie Connor, Solange Handley and Nathan Johnston.